Stalk-cutter.



J. N. SMILEY.

STALK CUTTER.

APPLICATION mum MAY 25, 1912.

1,059,320. Patented Apr. 15, 1913.

Jokn/ N mtley,

attain",

cuLuMmA I'LANUUIIAI'H CUoWASMXNGTON ll L JOHN 1\T.i SMILEY, OF MANASSA S, GEORGIA;

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Apr, 15,1913.

Application filed May 25, 1912. Serial No. 699,802. i

To all whom, it may concern Be it known that 1, JOHN N. SMILnY,a

citizen of the UnitedStates, .residingqat this character which Will be of the proper weight to insure the cutting of the stalks in a rapid and perfect manner :and which will ermit of the ready removal and insertion of the blades or cutters.

Another object of the invention is toprovide a machine of this character which will possess advantages in points of efliciency and durability, is inexpensive of manufacture and at. the same time is simple inconstruction and operation.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists in the novel features of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, pointed out in the claims and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a stalk cutter constructed in accordance with my in.

vention. Fig. 2 is a top planview of a stalk cutter constructed 1n accordance with my inivention, and Fig. Bis a transverse sectional view of the cutting roller.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 1 indicates the platformor framework of my improved stalk cutter, which is pref-.

erably of rectangular form and which comprises the longitudinal beams 2,,having their ends suitably connected to the end pieces 3. Secured to the upper edge of the end pieces and arranged betweenthe beams 2, is a suit-1 able bottom 3'. Securedto the lower edge of the end pieces 3, are theaxle bearing brackets 4 in which is mounted the axle 5, and mounted upon the axle and arranged between the end pieces is a suitable drum 6, which is circular in form and having its ends provided with a reduced end 7.

Mounted upon the reduced ends 7 are the circular heads 8, which are provided with inwardly extending keys 9, said keys being arranged at diametrically opposite points and adapted to be disposed in the recess 10 formed in the reduced ends 7 of the drum. Thus it will be seen that the heads 8 will be held against rotary movement with respect to the drum, said heads being adapted to rotate with the drum. Formed upon the inner faces of the heads and arranged in spaced relation are the inwardly extending cars 11.

Arranged in spaced relation and having their ends suitably secured to the ears 11 by means of the bolts 12,.are the cutting blades 13, said cuttingblades having their inner edges fitted tightly up against the hub so as to prevent the stalks from wedging between the edge of the blade and the hub and thus clogging up the machine. It will be under stood that these cutting blades 13 may be provided with, a double cutting edge so that when they become dull on one edge,they can be quickly and easily reversed; the dull edge of the blade may be arranged next to thel drum and the sharpened edge put into use.

Mounted upon the frame 1, and arranged at each end thereof are the end boards 14, which are held in place by having their ends disposed on the recesses 15 formed inthe beams 2. By having these end boards 14 arranged upon each end of the frame a suitable box or. I'QCGPl'ilClGlS formed upon the top of the main frame for the purpose of providing a convenient way of loading ballast on to the frame when there are large stalks to be cut, and when the ballast is not required it can be easily removed from the frame by taking out one of the end boards 14 and pushing the ballast off by means of a shovel or other suitable implce ment.

A suitable tongue 16, 1s providechhaving secured to the beams 2 by means of bolts or other suitable fastcnings. Mounted upon the tongue adjacent its rear end is a suit-. able block 17 upon which is mounted the spring 18. Secured to the upper face of the spring and held in place by means of.

its inner cndarranged across the frame and 1 the ballast upon the framework or removing the same therefrom. a l V V While I have shown anddescribed the preferred form of my invention, it will be obvious that various changes in the details of construction and in the proportions, may be resorted to for successfully carrying my invention into practicevvithout sacrificing any of the novel-features or departing from thescope thereof. 7

What I claim is y t 1. A stalk. cutter consisting of a support ing frame, an axle j ournaled therein, a drum mounted upon the axle having reduced portions formed upon each end thereoffsaid reduced portions having recesses formed therein and arranged at diametrically opposite points, circular heads mounted upon Copies of this patent may be obtained .for

said reduced portions, keys formed integral with said heads and disposed in said recesses, ears formed upon the inner faces .of said heads and arranged in spaced relation,

double edge cutting blades arranged in spaced relation and having their ends detachably secured to said ears, and said outtingv blades having their inner edges fit-lting tightly up against the hub to prevent the stalks from rwedging between the plates I and :the hub and thus clogging up the machine.

2. A' stalk cutter, consisting ,of a, supporting frame, an axle journaled therein, re-

duced portions formeduponeach end of said axle, having recesses formed therein;

and disposed at' diametrically opposite points, heads mounted upon said reduced portions, keys formed "integral With said 7 heads and disposed in said recesses, ears 1 formed upon the IIIDGIQEELCQS of said heads 40' blades arranged in spaced relation and havand arranged in spaced relation and cutting ing their ends detachably secured to said ears. I

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my five cents each, by addressing the fCommissioner of- Patents. Washington, D. G. 

